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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The outro of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” features a smooth, soulful chord progression that is common to jazz, R&B, and pop music. The progression has a descending movement with alternating minor 7th and major 7th chords. This repetition creates a sense of ambience and resolution, making it an ideal conclusion to the song.

“Give Me The Night” is a classic R&B and jazz-infused song by George Benson, released in 1980. The song was written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. It features a smooth, soulful groove, lush harmonies, and a sophisticated chord progression that is characteristic of the late 70s and early 80s R&B and jazz fusion style. The verse of the song makes use of diatonic chords with a few borrowed chords, giving the progression a rich and interesting harmonic content.

“Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix is a classic rock song featuring a cyclic chord progression in the key of E major. The song is well-known for its distinctive and temporarily ambiguous harmonic structure, bluesy vocal melodies, and Jimi Hendrix’s influential guitar playing. The verse chord progression constantly circles back on itself, creating a hypnotic effect.

“I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is an excellent example of their innovative approach to harmony and chord progression. This song, written in the key of G major, features a common I-V-vi-III progression in the verses. It notably uses borrowed ‘B’ major and ‘B7’ chords from the parallel minor scale.

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Feels Like We Only Go Backwards by Tame Impala uses very interesting chord progressions that convey a feeling of constant motion. The song is primarily in the key of F Major, as revealed by the majority of the chords (F, C, Gm). However, the chord progression in the verse introduces Dm and Cmaj7/G, showing some clever use of modal interchange, also known as borrowed chords.

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George Benson – Give Me The Night – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7

Chord Progression Analysis

(Db Major Scale: Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C – Db)

Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7)

“`Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor)“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Stevie Wonder – “Knocks Me Off My Feet”:
Dmaj7 (Imaj7), F#m7 (iiim7), Bm7 (vim7), Em9 (IIm9), A9 (V9)

2. Earth, Wind & Fire – “September”:
Abmaj7 (Imaj7), Cm7 (iiim7), Fm7 (vim7), Gm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Ab parallel minor), Abmaj7 (Imaj7)

Though these songs have different keys, each displays the use of diatonic major 7th, minor 7th, and borrowed chords within their progressions, showcasing elements of jazz, R&B, and funk.

Musical Analysis

The verse chord progression primarily consists of diatonic chords Imaj7, iiim7, and vim7. The progression starts with a tonic Dbmaj7 chord before moving to Fm7 (the mediant chord), and to Bbm7 (the submediant chord), implying a smooth harmonic motion. However, the appearance of the borrowed Cm7 chord, which is sourced from the parallel minor (Db minor), adds harmonic interest and tension before being restored to the tonic chord.

Overall Analysis

“Give Me The Night” is a jazz-funk composition with a rich harmonic texture and a catchy melody. It was produced by Quincy Jones and released in 1980. The verse chord progression of this piece features a series of diatonic seventh chords, with one borrowed chord from a parallel minor key, which are common to the jazz and R&B styles.

Style Analysis

George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” exhibits typical features of jazz, R&B, and funk music genres. The use of extended chords like major and minor 7ths, along with the inclusion of a borrowed chord, implies rich harmonic texture, similar to typical jazz and R&B songs from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The syncopated rhythm and catchy instrumental hook additionally lends itself to aspects of funk.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Give Me The Night by George Benson are:

Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7